Indiana gets $8.4M from HHS to fight opioid epidemic
A federal agency has awarded Indiana $8.4 million to help fight the opioid epidemic by boosting access to substance abuse treatment and mental health services.
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COA hears appeal of murder charge in opioid injection death
Arguments as to whether a man may be charged with murder after he injecting his wife with a fatal dose of fentanyl that they both believed was heroin were presented to an appellate panel during oral arguments Wednesday.
Clark County nurses sentenced for stealing patient medication
Two Clark County nurses have been sentenced for stealing narcotics medication from patients following an investigation by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office.
COA to hear appeal of murder charge against man who injected drugs into wife
A man accused of murdering his wife when he injected her with strong opioids will make his case before the Indiana Court of Appeals next week, when he’ll argue that the trial court erred in considering his act to be drug dealing.
Prosecutorial misconduct claim rejected in meth conviction
A woman’s conviction for dealing meth were upheld after the Indiana Court of Appeals found no issue with comments made by the Franklin County prosecutor in response to allegations of forum shopping raised by defense counsel.
Police: Indiana marijuana surge coming from other states
Some Indiana police officers are reporting that they’re seeing an increase in marijuana products, including pot-laced edibles and vaping devices, coming from states where marijuana has been legalized to one degree or another. State Police Sgt. Carey Huls said authorities are observing an increase of specialty marijuana products coming from states such as California or Colorado with established laws permitting their use
COA upholds admitting meth found in Bedford Taco Bell
A man convicted of possessing several grams of meth has lost his appeal to suppress evidence found at his fast food workplace after an anonymous caller alerted authorities. But a concurring judge used the case to “state the obvious” and remind Hoosiers of their right not to talk to police in similar circumstances.
COA hears free speech Facebook post case involving police threats
Arguments concerning a mother’s free speech rights on Facebook after she was convicted for harassing a police officer opened discussion about the uncharted waters of social media in court before an Indiana appeals court Wednesday.
7th Circuit upholds enhanced sentence under Armed Career Criminal Act
A convicted drug offender has lost an appeal of his enhanced sentence after failing to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that the enhancement was improper because his former cocaine dealing conviction was not a predicate “serious drug offense” under the Armed Career Criminal Act.
COA will hear free speech appeal in Facebook harassment case
An angry mother who made threatening posts on social media toward a police officer after the death of her son is now appealing her harassment conviction, arguing her free speech rights were violated.
Alleged drug ring leader’s trial moved to Evansville
Richard Grundy III and four co-defendants first stood trial July 8 in Indianapolis on federal drug trafficking charges, but a mistrial was declared July 10 after a court order concerning jurors’ personal information was violated. Court documents show Grundy will now stand trial July 29 at the U.S. district court in Evansville.
COA: Dog sniff didn’t unlawfully prolong traffic stop
A traffic stop that led to a man’s marijuana convictions was not unlawfully prolonged by a dog sniff, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled, so evidence found as a result of the sniff was not improperly admitted at trial.
Divided COA upholds drug, firearm convictions, can’t solve gun ‘conundrum’
Though the warrantless search that led to a man’s drug- and firearm-related convictions was lawful, a divided panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals was stumped on how to resolve the “conundrum” of when or if the man’s gun can be returned to him.
COA upholds seizure of pot dealer’s cash, but not truck
The Rush County prosecutor will be allowed to keep $22,907 in cash seized from a local marijuana dealer’s home safe that also contained his weed stash, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday, but the state will have to return some seized property and also may have to return the man’s truck.
Alleged Latin King gang member convicted in deadly drug conspiracy
Federal prosecutors in northern Indiana say an alleged member of the Latin Kings gang has been convicted of conspiracy and racketeering charges in a scheme to distribute illegal drugs.
Man’s 17½-year sentence upheld for dealing meth
A sentence of 17½ years for a man convicted of dealing methamphetamine has been upheld, after the Indiana Court of Appeals found he was dealing in amounts “well above the statutory requirement.”
Bail increase for defendant not transported from jailed reversed
The Indiana Court of Appeals has determined a man is not at fault for failing to appear in court due to his incarceration for another crime. It also found the trial court abused its discretion by setting an additional bail for him without having been requested to do so.
Civil forfeiture case back before Indiana justices on SCOTUS remand
For the third time in three years, Marion resident Tyson Timbs took his case before a Supreme Court. The man whose name became noted civil forfeiture caselaw said after arguments Friday, “I feel like I stand for something now.”
Justices allow seizure, turnover of $60K in alleged drug money
The Indiana Supreme Court has upheld the seizure of $60,000 in cash believed to be drug money, finding the officer who intercepted the parcel holding the cash had probable cause to think the package was related to drug trafficking. The unanimous ruling also upholds the turnover of the cash to the federal government, though it doesn’t address whether the money will be forfeited. The Court of Appeals previously had ruled the seizure was unlawful.
Reversal: Insufficient evidence to support termination of mother’s rights
A mother’s efforts to get her life back on track and reunite with her daughter were recognized by the Indiana Court of Appeals on Friday, which reversed an order terminating the mother’s parent-child relationship for insufficient evidence.